by Laura Acton
The postcard-perfect ambiance did a lot to soothe his fear of being encircled by trees. Loki now understood why Dan wanted to stay here instead of the chalet at the base of the mountain. The early winter-like climate enabled their trip, but as he glanced up at the sky, heavy clouds threatened to drop more snow. He hoped the impending storm held off until tonight so they could hit the slopes for a few hours this afternoon.
When the suburban’s back door opened, Loki snickered as Dan slid out with his hair messed up … a bad case of bed-head. He was pleased his and Scott’s plan worked, and Dan rode in comfort all the way here since he had the entire back seat to himself. “Enjoy your nap?”
“Yep.” Dan tugged his backpack over one shoulder and grinned. His hand swept across the area. “What do you think?”
“We’re deep in the forest, but … well,” Loki chuckled, “I could get used to a place like this.” He pivoted and strode to the rear of the vehicle where Scott already stood, opening the back so they could haul in their gear and food.
“Dan, you go open up. Loki and I can carry everything in,” Scott said as he stacked two plastic totes.
“Not an invalid,” Dan griped as he joined them, intending to take his bag.
“Never said you were, but if you don’t follow the doc’s instructions, Jon will be receiving a detailed report … and you might end up in the truck. So be a good mudpuppy and go relax for a bit.” Scott lifted the totes.
Faking a pout and muttering, “I’m not a salamander either,” Dan strolled to the cabin’s door without his duffle, unwilling to let the mother hens diminish his spirits. Last night, after Scott arrived at his apartment, a few of their plans changed. Initially, they agreed to use his four-wheel-drive truck, but Scott insisted on renting a suburban and driving when he discovered Dan injured his right leg. Scott justified his decision by stating their supplies would stay dry in the back of an enclosed vehicle, and the one he chose possessed a ski rack which his truck didn’t, but Dan discerned the real reason this morning.
Scott and Loki conspired against him, most likely with Jon’s influence. After they loaded up his and Scott’s stuff at his place, they went to pick up Loki. Once the techie’s items were packed in the vehicle, Loki called shotgun and scurried to the front passenger door wearing an enormous grin. Relegated to the rear, Dan had room to stretch out, and that is when their plotting became transparent. Stacked on the bench seat were pillows and an ice pack with an email printout from Jon to Loki, which included both the doctor’s care instructions for his leg and their TL’s expectations.
Dan unlatched the cabin’s wooden door, stepped inside, and moved out of Scott’s way as he carried items to the kitchenette. His cousin didn’t require directions because the cozy cabin was primarily an open floor plan with a small kitchen visible from the entry. Besides the common rooms, the structure contained a bathroom with a tiny shower, and two bedrooms, one with a queen bed and one with two twin-sized beds.
A smile grew as Dan surveyed the interior. Like the exterior, nothing had changed since he was here last. A collection of elk racks and paintings of wildlife still decorated the walls. Four chairs surrounded the square, wooden table in the kitchen space. According to Wilson, the owner built this cabin and the majority of the furniture from trees on his land. The only items Emmett Haley didn’t make were in the central room … a plush recliner and two couches, of which one had a pull-out bed.
Dan’s favorite and the most prominent attribute of Haley’s summer home was a massive stone hearth, which took up almost one entire wall and was large enough to roast a pig on a spit. Neatly stacked firewood, sufficient for at least a month, filled the remainder of the wall. Although the fireplace provided most of the heat, there was a portable propane heater and a gas stove. Haley never bothered to run electricity to his cabin, so all lighting came from kerosene lamps, flashlights, or the fire.
He hoped Scott and Loki would enjoy the rustic atmosphere and quiet reprieve from noisy, bustling cities as much as he did.
Dan went to the bedroom with the twin beds, his usual room when he and Wilson stayed here. He didn’t mind rooming with either of them, so decided to let Loki and Scott duke it out for the queen-sized bed. Dan dropped his rucksack on the mattress, claiming the bed closest to the window so he would be able to gaze at the stars.
Peering out of the pane, memories of spending time here with Wilson, Buzz, and Dutch flooded back. He loved the calming view from this spot. The tall trees beckoned him as they swayed in the wind. Before discovering he twisted the meaning of his parents’ actions, Dan always associated the Yukon base as an ice prison. But standing here now with corrected memories, he began to understand the allure of this little piece of heaven.
Nature’s beauty was on display, and this locale reminded him of SFTB Yukon. With introspection last autumn, he reexplored many incidents from his time at the frozen base, and uncovered the truth of his childhood … his father did the best he could to create an environment in which he could thrive. The outdoors is where he felt most comfortable, and with Brock, he was afforded hours to soak in what Mother Nature offered.
Brock and Dad taught him to ski, and how to appreciate the beauty of a pristine winter’s day as brisk winds whistled through the treetops. A soft sigh escaped as Dan’s body fully relaxed. Here he was wholly at home, and he would sleep like a babe because only pleasant memories lived in this cabin. No ghosts lurked in the shadows. This place was pre-Plouffe, pre-Lexa, and represented a time when he was carefree and enjoying life.
Exiting the bedroom, intending to help organize their provisions since they wouldn’t let him carry in anything, Dan caught Loki and Scott debating who got which room, as they exited the cabin to bring in more items. Dan’s smile grew as he realized both vied for the other twin bed, not the queen, wanting to room with him.
As he started unloading canned goods and paper towels from a box, putting them on the counter and thinking about starting a pot of coffee percolating, Loki bounded in, and Dan asked, “Want some coffee?”
“Sure thing, roomie.” Loki beamed.
Dan set the canister down and turned to his teammate. “You lost?”
“No, I won!” Loki put the largest cooler in the corner.
Scott strolled in wearing a dejected expression. “You get to hang out with Loki all the time. I should’ve gotten the room by default since we rarely spend time together.” He dropped two boxes of dry goods on the table.
Easy banter followed as the guys stored the supplies, whipped up an early lunch, cleaned up, and changed into their skiing clothing before piling into the suburban and heading to the slopes for an afternoon of fun.
Ski Lodge – Rental Shop – 10:30 a.m.
After Scott parked the car and detached his skis and poles from the roof, they headed to the ski shop to rent a full set of gear for Dan and Loki. Dan considered buying his own, but like Loki, it had been eons since he last skied, and he planned to evaluate different brands and determine which he preferred before plunking down hard-earned cash for everything he required.
In the shop, Loki eyed the snowboards. “We ought to try snowboarding. Might be fun.”
Scott said, “I agree it sounds like fun, but I never boarded. Perhaps they offer lessons, and we could sign up for some tomorrow.”
Dan grinned. “Been a while for me, but I can teach you the basics. Mostly you fall on your ass until you learn to balance.”
“That’s right, you and Wilson used to come here when you were a teen.” Scott grinned, recalling the family had been grateful for the two years Dan lived with Bella. During that time, Dan acted more like the little boy he remembered, one full of smiles and laughter.
“Yeah, but Caspian is the one who taught me.” At Loki’s quizzical expression, Dan explained, “Remember the other teen in the photo in front of Bella’s Lake Louise chalet I showed you when we went to Bella’s home to find the pictures of Brant?”
Loki nodded. “Him. Yeah, I was more focused on the litt
le girl staring at you like a lovesick puppy.”
Dan rolled his eyes. “JD tagged along all the time.”
“Wait … that is JD … the woman you said is out of my league.” Loki recalled Dan’s twenty-eighth birthday, or more correctly the night before when he didn’t want to hang out with him and Ray because he had a date with JD.
“Never said she’s out of your league.” Dan paused and cringed inwardly as he recalled telling Loki that JD was not his type, but he was referring to whiskey and not Junior Dame. “But, she is married.”
“You dated a married woman?” Loki’s eyes rounded.
“No. Whatever gave you that idea?”
Scott stepped in and explained, “Jacqueline got married in France the summer Dan was shot in the chest.”
“Oh … well, um … never mind.” Loki realized he put his foot in his mouth by assuming.
“No worries. Always viewed JD more like a little sister.” Dan patted Loki’s shoulder.
Dan and Loki stepped up to the counter, gave the clerk their sizes, and were outfitted in short order. After a stop in a locker area to store their shoes, keys, and Dan’s backpack, the three eagerly hit the slopes.
Ski Lodge – Cafeteria – 12:45 p.m.
The guys decided to take a break and headed into the lodge for a hot beverage and a light snack after two hours of skiing on the beginner trails in deference to Loki. He garnered a laugh from his compatriots when he declared his skills were so rusty it would take a case of Lucille’s gear lubricant to make them pliable. Choosing a picnic-style table near a wall of glass, which provided them an unobstructed view of the mountain, they ate sandwiches and sipped coffee as they engaged in banter about runs completed.
Their conversation turned to Loki’s newly-found confidence in his abilities and attempting the intermediate trails, then lulled after Loki agreed to go on the Tranquility trail since he like the name. In the ensuing silence, Loki recalled Jon’s email. “Dan, you should check your leg.”
“It’s alright,” Dan sighed.
Scott scowled at him. “Go make sure or I inform Jon—”
“Okay, okay! I’m going.” He stood and pointed a finger at Loki. “You better tell Jon I did everything the doctor dictated. I took my antibiotic this morning, and I brought my supplies with me.”
“Got it, buddy. You keep it up, and Jon will receive an A-plus report from me.” Pleased Dan was taking care of himself, Loki beamed.
Dan couldn’t help but smile and chuckle at Loki’s persistence as he headed to the restrooms on the opposite side of the huge cafeteria. Although he could pull up his pant leg to change the bandage, Dan preferred privacy. He didn’t want to become a topic of conversation or gross anyone out while they ate. As he passed the last table before entering the hallway leading to the bathrooms, Dan didn’t notice two college-age women checking him out.
A raven-haired woman sighed. “Did you see that hottie?”
“I did, Mindy, and I call dibs,” the blonde answered.
Mindy retorted in an annoyed tone, “Willow, you can’t … we spotted him at the same time. We both can try for him.”
Willow smugly said, “He’s a warm-blooded male with blond hair and blue eyes. With what we have in common, I’m sure he will prefer me.”
Mindy sniffed and said snidely, “You’re a box blonde. Your roots are showing. Besides, how do you know he wouldn’t favor my silky, black hair and brown eyes? I bet he prefers me. I have more personality than you.”
“Okay, you’re on. Ten bucks says he speaks with me before you.” Willow arched her brow in challenge, enjoying their game.
Mindy upped the stakes; certain she would easily beat her best friend in their man-chase. “Twenty … and the first one to sleep with him wins.”
“Deal!” Willow shook on their wager. She leaned back and sipped her beer as she started to plan her approach.
Ski Lodge – Men’s Room
Dan scanned the restroom, wishing for a more hygienic place to check his injury, but given his limited options, this would be the best location available. Although he hated taking most medicines, such as analgesics and sleep aids, he never eschewed antibiotics. At a higher risk for infection due to the loss of his spleen, a result of injuries suffered when he saved Murphy from plummeting to his death during Special Forces training, he deemed those drugs as being proactive for his continued health.
To lessen the chance of introducing bacteria to his cut, Dan meticulously washed his hands before entering the handicapped stall. Determining that lowering his trousers would be less hassle and make it easier to access his leg, Dan unzipped and pushed them down to his ankles. His shin throbbed, and he attributed the discomfort to the top of his boot, putting pressure on the bruised tissue surrounding his wound. After removing the self-adhesive stretchy wrap from his calf, Dan noted his bandage was a bit moist but not soaking wet.
Crouching and using the wall to brace himself, Dan pulled off the dressing. Damn, this doesn’t look good. The site is beginning to swell. It’s oozing blood, and the discharge is yellowish. Unzipping the interior waterproof pocket of his jacket, he withdrew an antiseptic wipe, his last one, and gently cleaned his wound. Next, he applied the antibiotic ointment and covered the gash with a sterile, non-stick pad before rewrapping his leg with fresh stretchy tape.
He stood and pulled up his ski pants, then bent to retrieve the trash. Exiting the stall, he chucked the used supplies in the garbage and rewashed his hands. As Dan peered at his reflection, he debated whether to tell Loki and Scott the wound appeared a little infected.
I put the ointment on, and I’m taking my meds too, that is all a doctor would do. Ah hell, I gotta tell Scott. I swore an oath long ago to always be truthful with him about my health … but there is no reason to put a damper on our fun this afternoon. I’ll wait until tonight and ask Scott to help me thoroughly clean it. And if it isn’t better by tomorrow morning, I’ll find a local doctor to give me a once over.
Satisfied with his decision and plan of action, Dan tossed the paper towel in the trashcan and exited the restroom, looking forward to skiing the intermediate runs. If Loki’s progress remained constant, by the end of their holiday, they might be ready to tackle the more advanced ones … but taking a break to teach his cousin and teammate how to snowboard would also be fun since they had all winter to work on Loki’s downhill skills.
Entirely relaxed for the first time in ages, dropping his usual need to scan for all exits and any threats, Dan strolled out of the hallway and didn’t detect the two women ogling him who stood and followed him at a leisurely pace so as not to draw attention to themselves yet.
Ski Lodge – Cafeteria
Loki grinned when Dan approached their table. “So?”
“So, what?” Dan resumed his seat.
Scott arched a brow. “Don’t play dumb, Dan.”
“Yeah, the bandage needed to be changed. Cleaned the cut and reapplied the topical antibiotic. Happy, mother hens?” Dan flashed them a cheerful smile.
Scott nodded and produced a lopsided grin, similar to Dan’s.
Loki pushed a cup of hot cocoa with a boatload of mini marshmallows piled on top towards Dan. “You earned a reward.”
Dan chuckled at the marshmallow mountain. “Looks more like your reward. You’re the one who loves these.”
“Wouldn’t be hot chocolate without them,” Loki stated with a smile.
“Here, take a few of them back, or you’re gonna need to treat me for hyperglycemia when I fall into a diabetic coma with all this sugar.” Dan knocked off about a quarter of them and dumped them in Loki’s beverage.
“Says the man who ate ten slices of pumpkin pie with tons of whipped cream on Thanksgiving,” Loki retorted and laughed, but happy to have more of the perfect little pillows of sweetness.
“Wow, ten pieces of pie! I swear you’ve got a hollow leg, Doppelganger,” Scott yawned, rested an elbow on the table, and leaned his chin in his palm.
“Tired?” Dan as
ked.
“Truthfully, I got more sleep last night than I have in months. Never realized how much work it is taking care of babies, but I wouldn’t change anything. When Anna smiles at me, or Jerrell grasps my finger … a little piece of heaven on earth. Hope one day you both are blessed with children.”
Loki and Dan studied the besotted father of four-month-old twins, who needed some rest, glad Lily worked her magic and arranged for Scott to come with them. The guys spent another ten minutes enjoying casual conversation as they finished their cocoa in the warm lodge, and light flurries began to fall outside. Wanting to hit the slopes before the forecasted storm blew in, they rose and tromped outside to retrieve their skis from the racks.
Within visual range but unable to overhear most of their conversation due to the din from a multitude of skiers in the cafeteria, Mindy and Willow watched the three men from several tables over. After the guys left, Mindy spoke first. “Can you believe there are two of them?”
“Yeah. Wow!” Willow smirked. “Now we don’t have to fight over him. I’ll approach Dan. You can go after Scott. And what say you we rearrange our bet and apply it to Loki for tomorrow night? He’s a hottie too.”
Mindy nodded. “I like. You’re on. Now let’s go find a way to introduce ourselves to those hot blond twins.”
When Snow Bunnies Attack
17
November 22
Ski Slope – 3:10 p.m.
Halfway down the Smart Alec trail, Scott spied Dan skiing to the edge of the tree line out of the way of others and stop. Scott deviated from his path and halted next to him. “Leg bothering you?”
“A little. Need to readjust the boot. Tomorrow I’ll try a different brand and bring extra padding to prevent chaffing. Go on. I’ll meet you guys below.”
With a nod, Scott continued down the slope. Last autumn, Scott learned he shouldn’t hover too much. Danny only accepted so much coddling before blowing a gasket, and Scott didn’t want to ruin this holiday … the first true one for Dan in nearly a decade.
